Types of Saxophones
When
you ask people the question “what types of saxophones are there?” you get
varied answers. Most people can name
three or four saxophones. Some can name
as many as 17 types of saxophones! As you
look at the chart below, note that there are basically three groups of
saxophones, they are the Band Saxophones (in the keys of Bb
and Eb), Orchestra Saxophones (in the keys of A and F), and of
course the C-Melody Saxophones (in the key of C). I have been told that the original patents
did not have saxophones in A. Anyone
know the history of saxophones in the key of “A”? If so, email me at wwalker@gte.net
Here is a table of saxophones that have been invented or manufactured:
|
Name |
Key |
Manufactured by |
Comments |
|
Sopranissimo |
Bb |
Currently Benedikt Eppelsheim, Brand name Konus Robert Vanlinthout, Brussels (1960s) |
See it at here! Only 11.7 inches long! Curved shape stands only 7.11 inches tall! |
|
Sopranino |
F |
????? |
There are rumors that someone has built one of these. |
|
Sopranino |
Eb |
Various |
This saxophone has the highest voice of current saxophones. King produced a single curved Sopranino on an experimental basis. See a curved Sopranino at http://www.saxpics.com/rare.htm - Kailson and http://www.geocities.com/bourbonstreet/2302 |
|
Soprano |
C |
Various, especially Buescher and Conn |
This is one of the C-Melody Saxophones! See on at http://home1.gte.net/wwalker/soprano.html |
|
Mezzo-Soprano (Please see the note in the comments column) |
A |
Conn |
Made from 1915 to 1925. From H. Thorp: I can't find this saxophone in any Conn catalogs of this
time period. |
|
Soprano |
Bb |
Various |
Highest voice of the top four (band) saxophones. See it at http://www.unisonsaxophones.com/html/s100.html and http://www.unisonsaxophones.com/html/s200.html |
|
Mezzo-Soprano (aka Mezzo-Alto) |
F |
Conn |
This is a rare instrument that is usually sought by collectors. This is also called a Mezzo-Soprano. See it at http://www.saxpics.com/ |
|
Alto |
Eb |
Various |
One of the two most popular saxophones! See it at http://home1.gte.net/wwalker/alto.html |
|
Contra-Alto |
C |
Jim Schmidt |
New Four-Octave Saxophone between the Alto and Tenor. New fingering system, and tons of innovations! See it at http://cvip.fresno.com/~js210/default.html |
|
C-Tenor |
C |
Various |
This is the saxophone that is most identified as a C-Melody! See it at http://home1.gte.net/wwalker/ctenor.html |
|
Mezzo-Tenor |
A |
|
None manufactured as far as I know. |
|
Tenor |
Bb |
Various |
One of the two most popular saxophones! See it at http://www.unisonsaxophones.com/html/s400.html |
|
Baritone |
F |
PELISSON FRERES & Cie., SYSTEME GEORGE BREVETE S.G.D.G circa 1900 |
See it at: http://www.saxpics.com/rare/curvedbari.jpg and http://www.whc.net/rjones/saxophone.html |
|
Baritone |
Eb |
Various |
Deepest voice of the top four (band) saxophones. See it at http://home1.gte.net/wwalker/baritone.html |
|
Bass |
C |
Adolphe Sax! |
First saxophone invented and built by Adolphe Sax! |
|
Bass |
Bb |
Various |
Big Sax with a deep voice! Included in the original patent. See Adolph Sax’s original at http://www.saxpics.com/ |
|
Contra-Bass |
F |
|
Unlikely that this was built. It was invented by Adolphe Sax. |
|
Contra-Bass |
Eb |
L.A. Sax (currently), various manufacturers in the past. |
This monster was part of Adolphe Sax’s original patent. This is a very low voice saxophone with an equally impressive price tag. They cost as much a many luxury cars! See it at http://www.lasax.com/lacontra.htm |
|
Sub-Contra-Bass |
C |
3 have been built. |
This is not a practical instrument due to its ridicules size. The 3 that have been built are most likely publicity stunts and are not playable. See Below! |
|
Sub-Contra-Bass This is for REAL! |
Bb |
Benedikt Eppelsheim |
This is for REAL! See it at http://lachesis.caltech.edu/jayeaston/galleries/sax_family/subcontrabass_sax.html along with MP3 sound files! Also see the manufacturers page at Eb Contra Bass saxophone built in "Paperclip" style like the paperclip contrabass clarinet. This site is in Danish but has lots of pictures, so LOOK! Please note that the sub-contrabass saxophone is not pictured here, only the contrabass. |
|
Conn-O-Sax |
F |
Conn |
See on at http://www.saxpics.com/ (large ad, so be patient and wait for the download) http://www.saxpics.com/ it is the one with the spherical bell. |
|
Slide Saxophones |
All |
Various |
See them at http://jerselmer.free.fr/simples/saxcoul.jpg |
Sub-contrabass saxophone? You have GOT to be kidding!
This is a Conn publicity photo from about 1920.
